Owen L. BergmanTRINITY – Services for Owen L. Bergman, 85, of Groveton were held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2008, in the First Methodist Church in Groveton with the Rev. Ben Bagley and the Rev. Lewis Jones officiating.

Burial followed in the Glenwood Cemetery in Groveton.

Mr. Bergman died Tuesday, July 15.

He was born Dec. 15, 1922, in a log house in Polk County and grew up in Groveton. After graduating from Groveton High School, he attended Texas A&M University until the outbreak of World War II, when he enlisted in the Naval Aviation Program. His outstanding performance in flight training led to his selection for service as a Marine Aviator.

Following the war, Mr. Bergman attended the University of Texas in Austin and began his career with Texaco, but he returned to military service during the Korean Conflict. When he ended his military service, he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

During his career in the oil business, he worked for Texaco and Sinclair covering several southern states for their tax departments, eventually heading his own independent oil exploration company. He retired in Groveton.

Mr. Bergman was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Vernon, Joe Frank and Billy; and a grandson, Ryan Fitzpatrick Kennedy.

Survivors include his wife, Janis Chandler Bergman; a daughter and her spouse, Holly and Frank Crane; two sons, Clay Bergman and Rush Bergman; a step-son and his spouse, Billy and Marie Woodburn; a sister, Natalie Johnson; Joan and Richard Hoaglin; four grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Jimmie E. Connor
GROVETON – Services for Jimmie E. Connor, 80, of the Lacy community were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2008, in the Greater New Hope Baptist Church in Lacy with the Rev. Precious Gibson officiating,

Burial followed in Lacy Cemetery.

Mr. Connor died July 12 in Houston.

He was born Dec. 4, 1927, in Colmesneil and was retired from American Airlines. He served as president of the Usher Board at the Greater New Hope Baptist Church, was a member of the Groveton Male Chorus and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ozella Connor in 1997; and by a son, Jimmie E. Connor.

Survivors include six children, Johnny Connor of Las Vegas, Nev., Larry Connor of Atlanta, Ga., Eugene Connor of St. Louis, Mo., Felicia Lloyd of Wells, Shirlonda Connor of Lufkin and Janice Connor of Nacogdoches; two sisters, Claudie Mae Connor Owens of Lufkin and Lucy B. Spikes of Oakland, Calif.; two brothers, Carl Connor of Richmond and Ernest Connor of San Francisco, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a number of other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers include his grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Greater New Hope Baptist Church Usher Board.

She was born Nov. 23, 1919, in Montgomery County and wither husband, Red, had resided in Trinity for many years where she was a member of the Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist Church. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Gully of Porter and Gereldine Powell of Houston.

Trinity Funeral Home directed the arrangements.

Margaret Stewart
GROVETON – Memorial services for Margaret Stewart, 76, of Trinity were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2008, in the Groveton Funeral Home with Bro. Lewis Jones officiating.

Mrs. Stewart died Wednesday, July 16, in Conroe.

She was born Sept. 13, 1931, in Antlers, Okla. She was a member o the Calallen Baptist Church and Beta Sigma Phi.

Mrs. Stewart was preceded in death by a son, Steve Laird.

Survivors include her husband, James “Jimmy” Stewart of Trinity; five children, James Laird of Doss, Sheila Hinchee of Spring, Tim Stewart of Trinity, Patricia Daniels and James Stewart III; four grandchildren, Jason Ray Laird, Andy James Laird, Stan James Laird and Chad Everett Stewart; and a number of other relatives and friends.

Groveton Funeral Home directed the arrangements.

Gerald Monroe Ward
TRINITY – Services for Gerald Monroe Ward, 71, of Trinity were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at the Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist Church in Trinity with the Rev. Mike Loftin and the Rev. Jason Burden officiating.

Burial followed in Walker Cemetery in Lufkin with military honors presented.

Mr. Ward died peacefully in Crockett on Saturday, July 19.

He was born Sept. 16, 1936, in Angelina County, the son of Monroe and Elsie McKinney Ward. After graduating from Lufkin High School, he served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Ward had a love for cars al of his adult life and was employed by Ainsworth Ford in Trinity and later owned and operated a used car business. He also was the owner/operator of A-1 Wrecking Business for over 29 years.

He served with the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department for over 10 years and was an active member of both the Corrigan VFW Post 6521 and the Trinity Lions Club.

He was known as a businessman, family man and a man who would help those in need. He was involved in a number of civil groups but never wanted to be recognized for his involvement.